Cylinder for printing-machines.



W. B. STORY.

CYLINDER 'FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I. 1912.

Patented Feb. 27 1917;

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. B. STORY.

CY'LINDER FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED 0611. lai 'z.

Patented Feb. 27,1917.

QM. QNK M/ll $6. 4 W Z I v. P w w i m\\\\\\\- \M C41. mm. ZI/MWMJMWJ Q m, an 8 mm mm 3 mm mm Wm.

A ttorneys;

Patented Feb. 27 r 3 ga ns-sun:

MACHINES.

W. B. STORY.

CYLINDER FOR PRINTING FILED OCT.

APPLICATION Invntor 1 UNITED STATES PATENT oniucn.

WARD B. STORY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 WARD B. STORY COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CYLINDER FOR PRINTING-MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARD B. STORY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, countyof Kings, city and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Cylinder for Printing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rollers such as impression cylinders, for printing machines, said cylinders carrying a number of layers of fabric technically called the blanket, clamped in position around its periphery. The said cylinder also has clamps which engage with the sheet when the latter is fed to the stops, the latter being carried by the cylinder.

The objects I have in view are:

1st: To render the adjustment of the blanket more easy, particularly the top sheet, to make it possible to stretch the lat ter to the necessary smoothness around the cylinder and-to tighten it within close degrees of adjustment.

2nd: To improve the construction of the gripping fingers, which grip the sheet while the latter is being printed.

3rd: The arrangement for adjusting the blanket, irrespective of the position of the cylinder.

4th: To improve the construction of the blanket clamp.

These and further objects willmore fully appear from the following specification and accompanying drawings, considered together or separately.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a cylinder embodying my invention, certain parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on a reduced scale of a cylinder embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the cylinder, showing, partly in section. the housings therefor and the cam which operates the gripper.

Fig. 5 is a view of the blanket reels, and actuating mechanism therefor, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the gripper and blanket clamp, on an enlarged scale.

In all of the views, like parts are desig- 'nated by the same reference characters.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 2'7, 1917,

Application filed October 1, 1912.

Serial No. 723,319.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the cylinder 1 is hollow. It has a longltudinal pocket 2 for containing the mechanism for supporting the blanket and for actuatmg the gripping'fingers. The blanket 3 surrounds the cylinder. Both ends of the blanket enter the pocket, where they are clamped in position. The blanket may be a single layer of suitablematerial, but it is usually made of a number of layers of paper, paper board and other fabrics. Ordinarily, it consists of the following sheets, arranged in this order; and technically called the board; muslin; ground; out overlay; shrink; several layers of overlay; and the top sheet; which is sometimes referred to as the slip sheet. These various layers of fabric combined produce a blanket wihch is sometimes as much as .064 in thickness. The top sheet is usually of very thick paper, as much as .008 in thickness. One end of the blanket is engaged by the clamp 4:. The various layers which constitute the blanket are laid around the cylinder; most of them end at the point where they reach the pocket 2. The muslin 5 (one of the layers of the blanket), which holds the board or inner layer in position, is suitably supported; preferably by wrapping it around the reel 6. This reel is supported in the ends of the cylinder and has a ratchet 7, which engages with a pawl 8 which is pivoted tothe end of the cylinder. The top sheet 9, passes around a reel 10. This reel 10 is provided with a slot or slit throughout its length, except at the extremities, which are in the bearings. The edge of the top sheet is introduced through this slot, and the reel rotated, clamping the sheet to the reel. The ends of the reel are mounted in bushings 11 in the cylinder ends. The reel ends move in slots 12, in the bushings 11. A bar 13 is located within the pocket2, on one side of the reel 10. This bar is carried upon hinges 14. It has fingers 15 arranged in pairs. The fingers of each pair have inclined faces and lieon each side of the reel 10. The hinge 14 has a pivot 16. The bar is provided with an arm 17, with forked extremities 18. These extremities engage with an adjusting screw 19. As shown in Fig. 1 the arm 17 is located near one end of the cylinder. A duplicate arm 17 and adjusting-screw 19 are situated near the other end of the cylinder. The end of the reel 10 has a ratchet 20, which engages with a pawl 21, which is pivoted to the cylinder end. The ends of the reels 6 and 10 are squared, for the application of a wrench, for rotating them. The pawls 21 and 8 are engaged with the reels by means of springs 23. The adjusting screw 19 is provided with flanges 24, for holding the arm 17 in position. The hinge 14 is suitably secured to the roller 1, as by means of the bolts 25. The operation of so much of the invention is as follows One extremity of the sheets which constitute the blanket is engaged by the clamp 4. These sheets are passed around the roller, the muslin being wrapped around the reel 6, and suitably tightened and held in position by means of the ratchet 7. The top sheet has its edge introduced through the slot of the reel 10. The latter is rotated several times, until the sheet is clamped upon the reel. The continued rotation of the reel will tighten sheet on the cylinder and, as the windings of the sheet accumulate on the reel, they will come into contact with the fingers 15. Itis apparent that as the sheet is drawn tighter the size of the roll will increase and the reel will be brought into closer engagement with the fingers. This produces a support for thewhole length of the reel, irrespective of the elasticity or yieldability of the latter. By the above described arrangement the reel will be supported throughout its length without interrupting the continuity of the end of the sheet. In prior constructions, the reel is supported at intervals upon bearings, which necessitates that the sheet be cut out opposite to each bearing. This makes it very difficult to introduce the edge of the sheet through the slot in the reel between the bearings. According to my invention, after the sheet is in position, and is made as tight as possible by rotation of the reel, the latter is prevented from rotating in the other direction by means of the ratchet 20 and pawl 21. By rotating the adjusting screw 19, the arm 17 will turn upon the pivot 16 and will swing the hinge 14 and, with it, the bar 13. This will bodily move the reel in the proper direction to impart greater tension upon the sheet. as the pawl. 21 is pivoted in line with the pivot 16, its relative position in relation to the reel will not change. The pawls 8 and 21 are both supported on the pivot 16. The slots 12 permit the bearings 11 of the reel to move during the operation of swinging the hinge 14. By means of the preceding device, it is apparent that any degree of tension upon the top sheet can be made as desired.

The other edge of the blanket is sup ported upon the cylinder by the following instrumentalities The blanket clamp 4 is mounted upon a pivot 41. eled extremity. This extremity engages It has a finger 42, with a bevwith a block 43, having a beveled side, as shown in Fig. 6. The block 48 is mounted upon a rod 44, which is moved outward by a spring into engagement with the finger 42. The clamp is opened by being swung upon its pivot by means of a pm or other tool which may be inserted in a hole 46 (see Fig. 1.) As the clamp is opened, the engagement of the finger 42 with the block 43 will compress the spring 45 to the point where the beveled extremity of the finger engages with the beveled side of the block, whereupon the spring will move the block outward, engaging the two beveled surfaces together and holding the clamp in open position. When the clamp is closed, it is apparent that the expansion of the spring 45 will engage the block with the end of the finger and hold the clamp in position, owing to the fact that the location of the rod 44 is to one side of the pivot 41. The edges of the blankets are inserted in position, being threaded upon pins 4'7, in the usual manner. These pins enter holes 48 in the clamp. The clamp carries a stop 49, 01 leveling and engaging the leading edge 01 the sheet which is to be printed.

Instead of using a blanket composed of a plurality of layers such as the board muslin grounc cut overlay; shrink; overlays; and top sheet of various materials a single sheet such as 9, Fig. 3, may be employed. T/Vhen such a construction is employed one end of the sheet is secured in position by means of the clamp 4. The sheet is thenled around the cylinder and its free end secured to the tension member 10. In this situation the reel 6 is not utilized and may be omitted.

The devices for gripping the sheets of which are fed to the cylinder will now be described. I

The gripping fingers 26 are attached to blocks 27. Each finger is supported upon a separate block, as shown. The blocks are split, and surround the shaft 28. This shaft is made in two parts, each of which is mounted in bearings 29. Each shaft part carries at the outer end. an arm 30. This arm carries a roller which engages with a cam 31. The engagement of the rolicrs with the high parts of the cams will swing the arms 30 and rotate the shafts 28 and raise the gripping fingers from the edge of the sheet resting on the bar 4. By the time a new sheet is fed to the gages 49 the roller will have passed from the high to the low parts of the cams and the fingers 26 will be caused to grip the sheets. Each. arm 30 is provided with a tail which may engage with a stop 34 on the end of the cylinder 1 when the roller is in engagement with the high part of the cam. The cam is mounted on the frame 50 which carries the bearing 51 for the cylinder The cam is capable of rotating in relation to the frame, as shown in F ig 3, but is locked in position to prevent rotation by means of a spring latch 32. This latch is adapted to enter holes 38 in the cam. By withdrawing the latch, the cam may be rotated independently. This will result in the opening of the clamping fingers 26.

Referring to Fig. 6,it will be seen that the block 27 is gripped upon the shaft 28 by means of a bolt 35. This bolt is provided with a cylindrical extension 36. The gripping finger 26 has an'opening 37, engaging with the cylindrical extension 36. The inner edge of the finger is beveled, as shown, so as to permit a certain relative movement between the gripping finger and the cylindrical extension. The gripping linger has a stirrup 38, which surrounds the block 27. A spring 39, lying in a pocket 40, in the block, engages with the stirrup and holds the gripping finger against the block with yielding tension. The gripping finger operates in the usual manner by being lowered by the engagement of the arms 30 with the cam 31 at the proper time to hold the. sheet which is fed to the cylinder and properly grip it. The spring 39 permits the gripping finger to move away from the block, to accommodate varying thicknesses of sheets. The gripping finger is held in position on the block solely by the spring 39. In order to remove the finger for adjustment or repair, it is apparent that by compressing the spring, the opening 37 may be disengaged from the extension 36 and the gripping finger thereby removed from the block.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that the invention can be carried out in other ways.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a cylinder for printing machines, a blanket carried by the cylinder, means for imparting tension to the blanket, means for preventing rotation of the tension imparting means, and means for bodily moving the tension imparting means after the blanket is in position.

2. In a cylinder for printing machines, a

blanket carried by the cylinder, means for imparting tension to the blanket, a device hinged to the cylinder; means for engaging the tension means with the said device; and

for bodlly moving the second reel to 1mmeans for bodily moving the device and with it, the tension imparting device after the blanket is in position.

3. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured at one end to the cylinder, a reel for holding the free end of the blanket; a support for the reel hinged to the cylinder; means for preventing rotation of the reel; means carried by the support for engaging with the blanket on the reel; and means for moving the support upon its supporting hinge and thereby bodily moving the reel.

4. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured at one end to the cylinder, a reel for holding the free end of the blanket; a bar hinged to the cylinder; fingers carried by the bar for engaging with the roll carried by the reel; and means for moving the bar upon its supporting hinge.

' 5. A cylinder for printing machines, havwheel; the pivot of the pawl being coincident with the pivot of the hinge; and means Iflor turning the bar upon its supporting inge.

7. A cylinder for printing machines, havmg a blanket, a reel for engagement with the blanket; a bar hinged to the cylinder;

arms, carried by the bar, for engaging with the reel; a ratchet wheel turning with the reel; a pawl engaging with the ratchet wheel; means for turning the bar upon its supporting hinge; said means comprising an arm carried by the hinge; and a screw engaging with the arm.

8. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket, a reel for engagement with the blanket; a bar hinged to the cylinder; arms, carried by the bar, for engaging with the reel; a ratchet wheel turning with the reel; a pawl engaging with the ratchet wheel; the pivot of the pawl being coincident with the pivot of the hinge; means for turning the bar upon its supporting hinge, sald means comprising an arm carried by the hinge; and a screw engaging with the i 9. A cylinderfor printing machines, havng a blanket, a reel for engagement with a layer of the blanket; a second reel for engagement with another layer of the blanket;

-means for rotating the first reel; and means art tension to the layer carried thereby.

A cylinder for printing machines, avmg a blanket, a reel for engagement with a layer of the blanket; a ratchet and pawl connected to the reel for preventing rotation of the latter; a second reel for engagement with another layer of the blanket; a pawl and ratchet connection for preventing rotation of such second reel; a support for such second reel; and means for moving the support and, with it, the second reel for putting additional tension on such layer.

11. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket, a clamp for one edge of the blanket; a stop carried by the clamp; a pivot for said clamp; an arm on the clamp; and a spring-advanced block engaging with the arm, the block being located to one side of the clamp pivot.

12. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket, a clamp for one edge of the blanket; a pivot for said clamp; an arm on the clamp, said arm having a beveled extremity; a beveled block engaging with the arm and aspring for engaging the block withthe arm, said block being located to one side of the clamp pivot;

13. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured by one end there to, a reel for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension to the same, and means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, said means operating irrespective of the amount of blanket on the reel.

1 1. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured thereto by one end thereof, a reel carried by the cylinder for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension thereto, said free end of the blanket engaging the reel for the entire width of theblanket, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, and means for bodily moving the reel relatively to its supporting means.

15. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured by one end thereto, a reel for, holding the free endof the blanket and imparting tension to the same, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, said means operating irrespective of the amount of blanket on the reel, and means for bodily moving the reel to impart final tension to the blanket after it is in position on the cylinder.

16. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured thereto by one end thereof, a reel carried by the cylinder for holding the free end of the blanketand imparting tension thereto, said free end of the blanketengaging the reel for the entire width of the blanket, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, and means for bodily moving the reel to impart final tension to the blanket after it is in position on the cylinder.

17. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured by one end there to, a reel for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension to the same, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends and engaging the blanket between the reel and its support.

18. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured by one end thereto, a reel for holding the fr'ee end of the blanket and imparting tension to the same, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends and engaging the blanket between the reel and its support, said means operating irrespective of the amount of blanket on the reel.

19. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured thereto by one end thereof, a reel carried by the cylinder for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension thereto, said free end of the blanket engaging the reel for the entire width of the blanket, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, and means for engaging the blanket between the reel and its support.

20. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured by one end there to, a reel for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension to the same, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, and for engaging the blanket between the reel and its support, said means operating irrespective of the amount of blanket on the reel, and means for bodily moving the reel to impart final tension to the blanket after it is in position on the cylinder.

21. A cylinder for printing machines, having a blanket secured thereto by one end thereof, a reel carried by the cylinder for holding the free end of the blanket and imparting tension thereto, said free end of the blanket engaging the reel for the entire width of the blanket, means for supporting the reel intermediate its ends, and for engaging the blanket between the reel and its support, and means for bodily moving the reel to impart final tension to the blanket after itis in position on the cylinder.

This specification signed and witnessed this 25th day of September, 1912.

WARD B. STORY.

Witnesses JAs. F. COLEMAN, JOHN L. LOTSCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

